Idea Generation
Frameworks for researching markets and generating startup ideas tailored to founder constraints.
User Assessment
Gather before generating ideas:
| Factor | Question | |--------|----------| | Skills | What specific skills/expertise can you leverage? | | Budget | What startup capital is available? | | Time | How many hours weekly can you commit? | | Interests | Which industries/problems are you passionate about? | | Goals | Income replacement, side hustle, or exit? | | Risk | Comfort with uncertainty and financial risk? |
Market Research Framework
Research Dimensions
| Dimension | Sources | What to Find | |-----------|---------|--------------| | Growing markets | Industry reports, trends | TAM growth, tailwinds | | Underserved segments | Forums, reviews, complaints | Unmet needs, pain points | | Emerging trends | News, VC activity | Timing windows | | Low competition | Search, directories | Entry points, gaps | | Skill-market fit | Job postings, freelance sites | Demand for user's skills |
Idea Template
For each concept, provide:
Concept: [Name]
Overview: [2-3 sentence description]
Target Market: [Size, growth rate]
Skill Fit: [How user's skills apply]
Resource Requirements: [Within budget?]
Revenue Potential: [Industry benchmarks]
Competitive Advantage: [User-specific edge]
Evidence: [Links to demand signals]
Idea Generation Process
Step 1: Skill-Market Mapping
| User Skill | Market Applications | Opportunity Size | |------------|---------------------|------------------| | [Skill 1] | [Applications] | [High/Med/Low] | | [Skill 2] | [Applications] | [High/Med/Low] |
Step 2: Present 5 Concepts
Each optimized for user's constraints:
- Aligned with stated skills
- Within budget range
- Achievable with time commitment
- Connected to interest areas
Step 3: Refinement Loop
| User Feedback | Action | |---------------|--------| | Shows interest | Deepen research on that concept | | Wants alternatives | Generate new ideas with feedback | | Has own idea | Help validate and strengthen it |
Continue until genuine enthusiasm emerges.
Quick Validation Checklist
Before proceeding to full validation:
- [ ] Problem confirmed by 5+ potential users
- [ ] Existing solutions have clear gaps
- [ ] User's skills provide meaningful advantage
- [ ] Budget sufficient for MVP
- [ ] Time commitment realistic for execution
- [ ] Revenue model makes economic sense
Anti-Patterns to Avoid
| Pattern | Problem | Better Approach | |---------|---------|-----------------| | Solution seeking problem | No real demand | Start with pain points | | Copying competitors | No differentiation | Find unique angle | | Too broad market | Can't compete | Niche down first | | Ignoring constraints | Unrealistic plan | Build within limits | | Feature obsession | Delays validation | Test core value first |